Comments on: My Opinion of Opinions—Including My Own http://upperfortstewart.com/ideas-about-reading/my-opinion-of-opinions%e2%80%94including-my-own/ Somewhat Amusing Ideas About Reading Books Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:58:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Ian Stuart http://upperfortstewart.com/ideas-about-reading/my-opinion-of-opinions%e2%80%94including-my-own/#comment-2860 Ian Stuart Sun, 03 Feb 2008 19:07:20 +0000 http://upperfortstewart.com/ideas-about-reading/my-opinion-of-opinions%e2%80%94including-my-own/#comment-2860 I tend to ignore critics and avoid anything that's won a literary prize.I don't buy anything which has a pullquote on the cover which says "zany" "whacky" or "heartwarming." I do listen to recommendations from my children and my friends.They know me- they know the stuff I like-and they've picked me many a winner in the past. I tend to ignore critics and avoid anything that’s won a literary prize.I don’t buy anything which has a pullquote on the cover which says “zany” “whacky” or “heartwarming.”

I do listen to recommendations from my children and my friends.They know me- they know the stuff I like-and they’ve picked me many a winner in the past.

]]> By: Brad K. http://upperfortstewart.com/ideas-about-reading/my-opinion-of-opinions%e2%80%94including-my-own/#comment-2854 Brad K. Sun, 03 Feb 2008 04:22:00 +0000 http://upperfortstewart.com/ideas-about-reading/my-opinion-of-opinions%e2%80%94including-my-own/#comment-2854 There are many, many reasons to read a book. Enjoyment of the storytelling, interest in the story or the genre, and understanding of people, or at least the author's understanding of people and the world, all come in pretty strongly for me. When someone comments on a book, they may find something that I find significant. Some bare-faced utopian dreamscape with no plot but some sociology major's doctoral thesis badly camouflaged as speculative fiction - that kind of information is useful to me - I have been irritated and angered over that crap once too often. When someone finds a book rewarding, that might be important to me. When someone dislikes a book, that is also something that will make me think twice about, when considering a new book. The fact that someone felt compelled to comment on a book they read - that stands out for me. There are a few universals about bad books. Trite, bad characterization, non-existent plot, these kinds of complaint are often very telling. Complaints about remakes and re-used plots - that may or may not matter to me. It is the storytelling that usually holds my attention. Even if the story has been told before. So for a new author or new story line, I do notice reviews and comments. And read them about as closely as a good novel! Thanks! There are many, many reasons to read a book. Enjoyment of the storytelling, interest in the story or the genre, and understanding of people, or at least the author’s understanding of people and the world, all come in pretty strongly for me.

When someone comments on a book, they may find something that I find significant. Some bare-faced utopian dreamscape with no plot but some sociology major’s doctoral thesis badly camouflaged as speculative fiction - that kind of information is useful to me - I have been irritated and angered over that crap once too often. When someone finds a book rewarding, that might be important to me. When someone dislikes a book, that is also something that will make me think twice about, when considering a new book. The fact that someone felt compelled to comment on a book they read - that stands out for me.

There are a few universals about bad books. Trite, bad characterization, non-existent plot, these kinds of complaint are often very telling. Complaints about remakes and re-used plots - that may or may not matter to me. It is the storytelling that usually holds my attention. Even if the story has been told before.

So for a new author or new story line, I do notice reviews and comments. And read them about as closely as a good novel!

Thanks!

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